Abstract: A computer implemented method includes turning off a sensor, receiving fall curve data from the sensor, and comparing the received fall curve data to a set of fall curve signatures to identify the sensor or a sensor fault.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a camera mounted on an aerial platform, for example a balloon, allows a user to increase the longevity of the camera's battery by remote control. A user may capture imagery at a time scale of interest and desired power consumption by adjusting parameters for image capture by the camera. A user may adjust a time to capture an image, a time to capture a video, or a number of cycles per time period to capture one or more images as the aerial platform moves in a region of interest to change power consumption for imaging. The system also provides imaging alignment to account for unwanted movement of the aerial platform when moved in the region of interest. Additionally, a mounting device is provided that is simple and inexpensive, and that allows a camera to remain positioned in a desired position relative to the ground.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes turning off a sensor, receiving fall curve data from the sensor, and comparing the received fall curve data to a set of fall curve signatures to identify the sensor or a sensor fault.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a camera mounted on an aerial platform, for example a balloon, allows a user to increase the longevity of the camera's battery by remote control. A user may capture imagery at a time scale of interest and desired power consumption by adjusting parameters for image capture by the camera. A user may adjust a time to capture an image, a time to capture a video, or a number of cycles per time period to capture one or more images as the aerial platform moves in a region of interest to change power consumption for imaging. The system also provides imaging alignment to account for unwanted movement of the aerial platform when moved in the region of interest. Additionally, a mounting device is provided that is simple and inexpensive, and that allows a camera to remain positioned in a desired position relative to the ground.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a camera mourned on an aerial platform, for example a balloon, allows a user to increase the longevity of the camera's battery by remote control. A user may capture imagery at a time scale of interest and desired power consumption by adjusting parameters for image capture by the camera. A user may adjust a time to capture an image, a time to capture a video, or a number of cycles per time period to capture one or more images as the aerial platform moves in a region of interest to change power consumption for imaging. The system also provides imaging alignment to account for unwanted movement of the aerial platform when moved in the region of interest. Additionally, a mounting device is provided that is simple and inexpensive, and that allows a camera to remain positioned in a desired position relative to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for audibly identifying an object indicated by a hand includes an electronic imager and an audio device. A processing system coupled to the imager and the audio device is configured to cause the imager to capture an image including the hand and the object. The processing system is also configured to process the captured image to identify and track the hand to identify the object indicated by the hand, to contextual assistance data with respect to the indicated object, to generate audio data describing the contextual assistance data, and to provide the generated audio data to the audio device.

Abstract: A system comprises an aerial imaging platform configured to rise to a height above ground. An apparatus allows an entity to move the aerial platform in a desired direction. The aerial platform includes a camera positioned to capture images of the ground. The camera includes a position sensor. A user/entity may move the aerial platform over a region to be imaged. The system includes a device that may be carried by the user/entity. The device receives information about a region to be imaged and a field of vision of the camera, determines a first path, and provides information on the first path to the user/entity. As the user/entity moves the aerial platform along the first path, the device receives data from the camera position sensor and determines a second path. The user/entity may then move the aerial platform along the second path to capture unimaged areas of the region.

Abstract: An imaging system that includes a camera mourned on an aerial platform, for example a balloon, allows a user to increase the longevity of the camera's battery by remote control. A user may capture imagery at a time scale of interest and desired power consumption by adjusting parameters for image capture by the camera. A user may adjust a time to capture an image, a time to capture a video, or a number of cycles per time period to capture one or more images as the aerial platform moves in a region of interest to change power consumption for imaging. The system also provides imaging alignment to account for unwanted movement of the aerial platform when moved in the region of interest. Additionally, a mounting device is provided that is simple and inexpensive, and that allows a camera to remain positioned in a desired position relative to the ground.